About Integrative Therapies

- Perhaps you feel lost and upset that things are out of your control.
- Perhaps you are interested in counselling for something specific such as Anxiety, Depression, self-esteem/confidence, bereavement, anger and/ or you may be looking for longer-term psychotherapy.
- You might find yourself withdraw from people you love and having the impression no one can understand your pain.
- You might be at this stage of your life that you are seeking a new identity or the previous roles/ priorities you had in your life don’t satisfy you anymore.
- My approach holds space for both personal history and unrecognised potential for people looking to understand their difficulties and find a deeper meaning in their life and new possibilities.

How can Counselling/Psychotherapy help?
- Counselling/ psychotherapy enables you and encourages you:
* To think about yourself more deeply
* Understanding your feelings and emotions.
* Exploring difficulties in relationships with others around you
* Change old, dysfunctional patterns
* Managing problems such as anger and sadness and coping better with anxiety and stressful situations.
* Open up possibilities within a life that may feel stuck.

- Athough therapists will not give you advice they will help you to find your own insights, identify your own needs and think about how you would like to move forward.
- Normally it takes a number of sessions before therapy makes a difference and regular weekly commitment with your therapist is highly recommended.

What should I expect during my first session?
- The first session is an assessment up to 60 min to get a good initial sense of your present situation and learn a little about your past, as well as about your hopes for the future. It is an opportunity to say what is troubling you, what has brought you to therapy now and what would you like to achieve in coming. I will be directed about what we should focus and make some suggestions about how we might approach it. I will be happy to answer any questions you have about the therapeutic process or about the way I work. If we agree to work together, we will normally meet for 50 minutes each week. For couples counselling is 70 minutes and usually forthnightly.

How I work?
- In my work, great importance is placed on the development of a sincere, genuine dialogue as a crucial component of the therapeutic process, as you and I together pave the way for making the changes you wish in life. I am passionate about supporting individuals and couples to increase their awareness and to move forward in their lives. Life can be challenging and overwhelming and an authentic exchange outside our circle of friends and family can enable us to overcome the despair that life may evoke to us. I see self-acceptance as a central part of self-development and growth and I aim to support people to develop to their full potential.
- I am committed to a high standard professional therapeutic practice and I am bound by the Codes of Ethics and Professional Procedures of BACP and work in the strictest confidence.
- Depending on your needs, the kind of therapy I offer can be explorative as well as practical focus to help you understand and overcome your difficulties. I offer short-term (10-12 weeks); medium-term (up to 24 weeks) and long-term, open ended therapy.
- To fit in with your busy schedule, Skype sessions are also possible.

My training, work experience and any achievement

My background
- I initially studied Archaeology and Ancient Greek History.
- I worked as an archaeologist which nourished my deep understanding of the history of people and human relationships.
- Later on, I was extensively involved in art business and worked closely with artists, supporting and helping them find an equilibrium between their creativity and emotional turmoil.
- From my experience in the art world, I came to understand how complex and anxiety provoking the process of achieving can be, as well as the impact it can have on everyday living and relationships.

Training & experience
- MA in Integrative Counseling and Psychotherapy, Roehampton University.
- Three main therapeutic traditions: humanistic/ existential, cognitive behavioural and psychodynamic theory.
- Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy skills, The Grove Practice
- Certificate of Higher Education in Counselling, Birkbeck University of London.
- Introduction to a range of counselling theories and practices.
- Certificate in Interpersonal and Counselling skills, Metanoia Institute.
- Introduction to Transactional analysis.
- I pursue ongoing training, learning, and personal growth as part of my commitment to the challenge and enjoyment of working with the complexities of the human psyche.
- I have several years therapeutic experience attained within NHS and other institutional settings.
- I am a registered member of of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP reg.) drawing from different therapeutic models when working with adults and young people in both short and long term therapy.
- I have been working within therapeutic counselling settings several years and have considerable training and experience in general and specialised practice including working with clients facing: relationship issues, challenging family dynamics, depression, anxiety, work related stress, infertility issues, separation, bereavement/loss, shame, low self-esteem, trauma, anger and many other issues that can present to us during our lives.

Further Information

My areas of work:
- Anger
- Worry
- Anxiety
- Work related stress
- Depression
- Relationship issues
- Challenging family dynamics
- Pre nuptial counselling
- Pregnancy and birth
- Infertility
- Abortion
- Mscarriage
- Post-natal depression
- Sex/pornography/internet addiction
- Shame
- Guilt
- Self-esteem
- Confidence
- Shyness
- Despair
- Bereavement/loss/divorce/breakup
- Homesickness
- Cross cultural relationships
- Verbal abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Trauma
- Substance abuse
- Violence
- Childhood trauma
- Parenting
- New families
- and many other concerns that can have an impact on everyday life.